P R O L E A R N
GENERATIVE DESIGN
Generative Design is an iterative design process that uses algorithms and artificial intelligence to generate a range of design solutions based on specified parameters and constraints.
Key Characteristics
AI-Driven: Leverages artificial intelligence to explore multiple design possibilities.
Iterative Process: Continuously refines designs based on set parameters and feedback.
Optimization Focus: Aims to create the most efficient and effective design solutions.
Benefits
Enhanced Creativity: Generates design options that humans might not conceive, potentially leading to 30-50% more innovative solutions.
Time Efficiency: Can reduce design time by up to 90% compared to traditional methods.
Resource Optimization: Often results in designs that use 30-50% less material while maintaining or improving performance.
Challenges and Considerations
Learning Curve: Requires new skills and mindset shifts for designers and engineers.
Computational Power: Demands significant computing resources for complex design problems.
Balancing Human Input: Ensuring the right balance between AI-generated designs and human creativity and intuition.
Innovative Applications
Aerospace: Creating lightweight yet strong components, potentially reducing aircraft weight by up to 45%.
Architecture: Generating optimised building designs that maximise space efficiency and minimise energy consumption.
Product Design: Developing consumer goods with improved ergonomics and reduced material use.
Future Outlook
As AI and computational power advance, Generative Design is poised to become increasingly integrated into various industries. We can expect more sophisticated algorithms that can handle multi-objective optimization and incorporate sustainability metrics into the design process.
Call to Action:
Evaluate your current design processes to identify opportunities for integrating Generative Design. Consider pilot projects that leverage this technology, and invest in training your team to harness the full potential of AI-driven design optimization.
Gilles Retsin is a Belgian architect and designer based in London, UK. He founded Gilles Retsin Architecture with the mission to explore new architectural models that leverage computational power and digital fabrication techniques. Retsin's current mission focuses on integrating circular economy principles into architecture by developing discrete assembly systems that allow for disassembly and reassembly, promoting sustainability and adaptability. Core values include innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between architecture, materials, and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various global locations for projects and collaborations.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using modular and discrete assemblies, and creating buildings that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
Key innovations: Development of discrete assembly systems that allow for buildings to be disassembled and reassembled, promoting circularity and adaptability. Projects like the Voxel Chair 1.0 and the Tallinn Architecture Biennale Pavilion showcase the potential for creating complex structures with minimal material waste.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using digital fabrication techniques to optimize material use and support local production.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: Retsin's portfolio includes innovative projects such as the Voxel Chair 1.0 (a 3D-printed chair using discrete elements), the Tallinn Architecture Biennale Pavilion (a modular pavilion), the Helsinki National Museum proposal, and the Nuremberg Concert Hall. His work often explores the potential of computational design and digital fabrication to create adaptive and sustainable structures.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing digital fabrication techniques, exploring new applications for modular and discrete assemblies, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in architectural design and construction processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the architecture industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste buildings, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to design and environmental stewardship.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Architectural design services and installations available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with institutions and businesses.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on integrating circular economy principles and modular design in architecture).
Material Passport: Detailed material exploration and innovation in many projects, often focusing on modular and digitally fabricated materials.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, many projects are designed with modularity and potential for disassembly and reassembly in mind.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of modular and digital fabrication techniques. Committed to minimizing environmental impact through efficient design and construction processes.
Key Takeaway
Gilles Retsin transforms the architecture industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles and modular design, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material innovation in contemporary architecture.
Explore Further
Gilles Retsin website: https://www.retsin.org
Gilles Retsin lecture: MIT Series
The MIT Media Lab is an interdisciplinary research laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), founded in 1985 by Nicholas Negroponte and former MIT President Jerome Wiesner. The lab was established with the mission to create technologies and experiences that enable people to understand and transform their lives, communities, and environments. The MIT Media Lab's current mission focuses on integrating circular economy principles into their research and projects, promoting sustainability and innovative solutions. Core values include innovation, sustainability, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between technology, design, and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various global locations for projects and collaborations.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using recycled and sustainable materials, and creating technologies and systems that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
Key innovations: Development of projects like the "Circular Economy Innovation" program, which focuses on developing circular economy models that prioritize waste reduction, resource efficiency, and product life extension. The lab also explores sustainable materials and manufacturing practices through its Material Ecology and Digital Fabrication research groups.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using locally sourced materials and sustainable production methods to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "Aguahoja Pavilion" (biocomposite structure), "AIR-INK" (ink made from air pollution), and "Circular Economy Innovation" program (developing circular economy models).
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative research solutions that prioritize circularity, material reuse, and environmental responsibility. The MIT Media Lab's work is known for its ability to create transformative technologies and systems that connect with diverse audiences while promoting sustainability.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing sustainable design techniques, exploring new applications for biodegradable and bio-based materials, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in design and production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the research and technology industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products and systems, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to design and environmental stewardship.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Research services and products available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with cultural institutions and businesses.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on integrating circular economy principles in research and production).
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with high-end research services, with significant value in sustainability and innovation).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of biodegradable and sustainable materials in many projects.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, many projects are designed with consideration for future adaptability and material reuse.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of sustainable materials and local production. Committed to minimizing environmental impact through efficient design and manufacturing processes.
Key Takeaway
The MIT Media Lab transforms the research and technology industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material innovation in contemporary design and technology.
Explore Further
MIT Media Lab website: https://www.media.mit.edu
Circular Economy Innovation program: https://www.media.mit.edu/events/the-circular/
Polycare was founded in 2010 by Dr. Gerhard Dust and Gunther Plötner in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The company was established with the mission to build affordable, durable, and comfortable houses using locally available secondary raw materials without the need for expensive equipment. Today, Polycare's mission focuses on revolutionizing the construction industry through sustainable and circular building solutions. Core values include innovation, sustainability, and responsibility, with a purpose to create a regenerative future through advanced material science and production technology.
Location
Headquarters: Thuringian Forest, Germany.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations across Germany.
Note: Strategic location in the Thuringian Forest to optimize local sourcing, distribution, and collaboration with industry partners.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using recycled and bio-based materials, and creating products that are fully recyclable.
Key innovations: Development of Polyblocks made from secondary raw materials, elimination of cement as a binder for geopolymer concrete, and integration of industrial by-products such as fly ash and slags.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using local materials and production to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship products: Polyblocks for modular construction, SEMBLA® reusable masonry system.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, sustainable building solutions that prioritize circularity, material reuse, and environmental responsibility. Polycare's products are known for their durability, ease of assembly, and innovative use of secondary raw materials.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing sustainable materials, optimizing recycling processes, and developing new circular design principles.
Ambitious goals: To lead the construction industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative built environment.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Products available globally through direct sales and partnerships with distributors.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Information not available.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Designed for full circularity).
Key Certifications: Information not available.
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with conventional alternatives, with significant cost savings in sustainable materials).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of recycled and bio-based materials.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are designed for easy disassembly and recycling.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through sustainable materials and local production.
Key Takeaway
Polycare transforms the construction industry through innovative, sustainable building solutions, setting a benchmark for circularity and environmental responsibility.
Explore Further
Polycare website: https://polycare.de/en
Polycare purpose: https://polycare.de/en/polycare/our-purpose
Example product: SEMBLA®
Matsys is an interdisciplinary design and architecture studio founded by Andrew Kudless in 2004. Based in Houston, Texas, the studio explores the emergent and integral relationships between form, growth, and behavior in material systems. Matsys's current mission focuses on blending digital technology with natural elements to create innovative and engaging designs. Core values include innovation, creativity, and the seamless integration of digital and natural worlds, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between technology, art, and the natural environment.
Location
Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA.
Primary operations locations: Various global locations for exhibitions and collaborations.
The Digital Biophilia Vision
Core principles: Creating digital experiences that foster a connection with nature, using technology to enhance our understanding and appreciation of natural forms and phenomena.
Key innovations: Development of projects like "Confluence Park" and "Shellstar Pavilion," which use digital fabrication and natural inspirations to create visually captivating and structurally innovative designs. These projects often incorporate organic forms and natural textures, blending them seamlessly with digital techniques.
Prioritization of nature-inspired design: Emphasis on creating digital artworks and architectural designs that mimic natural patterns, textures, and forms to promote a sense of connection with the natural world through technology.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "Confluence Park" (a public park with innovative, nature-inspired structures), "Shellstar Pavilion" (a pavilion with a spidery, organic form), "P_Wall" series (exploring the use of digital fabrication in creating complex wall structures), and "Synthetic Mangrove" (an installation mimicking natural mangrove structures).
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative design solutions that prioritize digital biophilia, viewer engagement, and the exploration of the boundaries between digital and natural realms. Matsys's work is known for its ability to create immersive, nature-inspired digital environments that evoke emotional responses.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing digital fabrication and generative design technologies, exploring new ways to integrate natural elements into digital art and architecture, and developing applications that challenge perceptions of nature and technology.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design and architecture industry in creating experiences that foster digital biophilia, inspire a deeper appreciation for natural phenomena through technology, and promote environmental awareness through immersive digital-physical experiences.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Architectural designs, installations, and objects available through exhibitions, galleries, and collaborations with brands and institutions.
Biophilia Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on incorporating natural elements and biophilic design principles in digital art and architecture).
Key Recognitions: Exhibited at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Centre Pompidou, and FRAC Centre; awards for projects like Confluence Park.
Innovation Rating: 5/5 (Cutting-edge use of digital fabrication and generative design technologies to create nature-inspired experiences).
User Engagement: High level of visual impact and emotional resonance, designed to create meaningful connections between viewers, technology, and nature.
Key Takeaway
Matsys transforms the design and architecture industry through innovative, biophilic digital experiences that blend natural elements with cutting-edge technology, setting a benchmark for connecting humans with nature through digital and physical design.
Explore Further
Matsys website: https://www.matsys.design
Profile: https://www.matsys.design/profile
Example project: Confluence Park
Supertoys Supertoys is an art and design studio founded by Merle Flügge and Job Mouwen. The studio specializes in creating art furniture and collectible objects characterized by their concept of "Radical Cuteness." Supertoys Supertoys' current mission focuses on blending digital technology with playful and natural elements to create immersive and thought-provoking visual experiences. Core values include innovation, creativity, and the fusion of digital and physical worlds, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, art, and the natural environment.
Location
Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Primary operations locations: Various global locations for exhibitions and collaborations.
The Digital Biophilia Vision
Core principles: Creating digital experiences that foster a connection with nature, using technology to enhance our understanding and appreciation of natural forms and playful elements.
Key innovations: Development of projects like "Cosmic Flower Table" and "Above the Clouds II," which use digital design and natural inspirations to create visually captivating objects. These projects often incorporate organic forms and playful textures, blending them seamlessly with digital techniques.
Prioritization of nature-inspired design: Emphasis on creating digital artworks and designs that mimic natural patterns, textures, and forms to promote a sense of connection with the natural world through technology.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "Cosmic Flower Table," "Above the Clouds II," "This is Not a Fruit Bowl," and various other art furniture pieces that blend natural elements with digital technology.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative art and design solutions that prioritize digital biophilia, viewer engagement, and the exploration of the boundaries between digital and natural realms. Supertoys Supertoys' work is known for its ability to create immersive, nature-inspired digital environments that evoke emotional responses.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing digital design and fabrication technologies, exploring new ways to integrate natural elements into digital art and furniture, and developing applications that challenge perceptions of nature and technology.
Ambitious goals: To lead the art and design industry in creating experiences that foster digital biophilia, inspire a deeper appreciation for natural phenomena through technology, and promote environmental awareness through immersive digital-physical experiences.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Art furniture and collectible objects available through exhibitions, galleries, and collaborations with brands and institutions.
Biophilia Rating: 4/5 (Strong focus on incorporating natural elements and biophilic design principles in digital art and design).
Key Recognitions: Featured in Dutch Design Week and various international design publications.
Innovation Rating: 5/5 (Cutting-edge use of digital technologies to create nature-inspired and playful experiences).
User Engagement: High level of visual impact and emotional resonance, designed to create meaningful connections between viewers, technology, and nature.
Environmental Awareness Performance: Strong focus on using digital art and design to raise awareness about the interconnectedness of natural and playful elements.
Key Takeaway
Supertoys Supertoys transforms the art and design industry through innovative, biophilic digital experiences that blend natural elements with playful and cutting-edge technology, setting a benchmark for connecting humans with nature through digital and physical design.
Explore Further
Supertoys Supertoys website: https://www.supertoyssupertoys.com
Example project: Cosmic Flower Table
Marshmallow Laser Feast (MLF) is an experiential art collective based in London, UK. The collective was established with the mission to reinterpret human perception and experience through immersive art that fuses technology and nature. MLF's current mission focuses on creating multisensory installations that explore natural processes and phenomena, often using augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) technologies. Core values include innovation, collaboration, and the seamless integration of digital and natural worlds, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between technology, art, and the natural environment.
Location
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Primary operations locations: Various global locations for exhibitions and collaborations.
The Digital Biophilia Vision
Core principles: Creating digital experiences that foster a connection with nature, using technology to enhance our understanding and appreciation of natural forms and phenomena.
Key innovations: Development of projects like "In the Eyes of the Animal," "We Live in an Ocean of Air," and "Evolver," which use VR and MR to immerse audiences in natural environments and processes. These projects often incorporate organic forms and natural textures, blending them seamlessly with digital techniques.
Prioritization of nature-inspired design: Emphasis on creating digital artworks and installations that mimic natural patterns, textures, and movements to promote a sense of connection with the natural world through technology.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "In the Eyes of the Animal" (VR experience exploring a forest from the perspective of different animals), "We Live in an Ocean of Air" (immersive installation revealing the connection between plants and humans through breath), "Evolver" (video installation following the flow of oxygen through the body), and "Sweet Dreams" (interactive adventure exploring the food chain and consumerism).
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative digital art solutions that prioritize digital biophilia, viewer engagement, and the exploration of the boundaries between digital and natural realms. MLF's work is known for its ability to create immersive, nature-inspired digital environments that evoke emotional responses.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing AR, VR, and MR technologies, exploring new ways to integrate natural elements into digital art, and developing applications that challenge perceptions of nature and technology. Projects like "Sweet Dreams" also explore the use of AI to develop new visual material.
Ambitious goals: To lead the digital art industry in creating experiences that foster digital biophilia, inspire a deeper appreciation for natural phenomena through technology, and promote environmental awareness through immersive digital experiences.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Digital artworks, installations, and experiences available through exhibitions, galleries, and collaborations with brands and institutions.
Biophilia Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on incorporating natural elements and biophilic design principles in digital art and design).
Key Recognitions: Exhibited at major institutions and festivals such as ACMI, Barbican Centre, Sundance Film Festival, and SXSW.
Innovation Rating: 5/5 (Cutting-edge use of AR, VR, and MR technologies to create nature-inspired experiences).
User Engagement: High level of visual impact and emotional resonance, designed to create meaningful connections between viewers, technology, and nature.
Environmental Awareness Performance: Strong focus on using digital art to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote a symbiotic relationship between technology and nature.
Key Takeaway
Marshmallow Laser Feast transforms the digital art industry through innovative, biophilic digital experiences that blend natural elements with cutting-edge technology, setting a benchmark for connecting humans with nature and promoting environmental awareness.
Explore Further
Marshmallow Laser Feast website: https://www.marshmallowlaserfeast.com
Example project: Forest Bathing - Lupuna
Wang & Söderström is a Copenhagen-based art and design duo founded by Anny Wang and Tim Söderström. The studio was established with the mission to explore the intersection of digital and physical realms, focusing on digital/physical explorations. Wang & Söderström's current mission emphasizes combining technological advancements with sensual qualities to activate a digital sensuousness. Core values include innovation, creativity, and the fusion of digital and physical worlds, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between technology, art, and nature.
Location
Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark.
Primary operations locations: Copenhagen and various global locations for exhibitions and collaborations.
The Digital Biophilia Vision
Core principles: Creating digital experiences that foster a connection with nature, using technology to enhance our understanding and appreciation of natural forms and phenomena.
Key innovations: Development of projects like "Making Kin," which uses algorithmic generation based on extremophile DNA/RNA data to create speculative future species, blending digital technology with biological inspiration. Additionally, their work in ASMR, such as "Synthetic Crops," uses motion graphics to evoke sensory responses that mimic natural phenomena.
Prioritization of nature-inspired design: Emphasis on creating digital artworks and designs that mimic natural patterns, textures, and forms to promote a sense of connection with the natural world through technology.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "Making Kin" (algorithmically generated future species), "Ocean Plastics" (exhibition design exploring marine pollution), "Synthetic Crops" (ASMR motion graphics), and various digital/physical explorations that blend natural elements with digital technology.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative digital art and design solutions that prioritize digital biophilia, viewer engagement, and the exploration of the boundaries between digital and physical realms. Wang & Söderström's work is known for its ability to create immersive, nature-inspired digital environments that evoke emotional and sensual responses.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing 3D modeling and generative design technologies, exploring new ways to integrate natural data and forms into digital art, and developing applications that challenge perceptions of nature and technology. Their work with ASMR, such as "Synthetic Crops," exemplifies how digital art can evoke sensory responses similar to those experienced in natural environments.
Ambitious goals: To lead the digital art and design industry in creating experiences that foster digital biophilia, inspire a deeper appreciation for natural phenomena through technology, and promote environmental awareness through immersive digital-physical experiences.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Digital artworks, installations, and design projects available through exhibitions, galleries, and collaborations with brands and institutions.
Biophilia Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on incorporating natural elements and biophilic design principles in digital art and design).
Key Recognitions: Information not available in the provided sources.
Innovation Rating: 5/5 (Cutting-edge use of digital technologies to create nature-inspired experiences).
User Engagement: High level of visual impact and sensual resonance, designed to create meaningful connections between viewers, technology, and nature.
Environmental Awareness Performance: Strong focus on using digital art and design to raise awareness about environmental issues, as seen in projects like "Ocean Plastics."
Key Takeaway
Wang & Söderström transforms the digital art and design industry through innovative, biophilic digital-physical experiences, setting a benchmark for connecting humans with nature through technology and challenging perceptions of the digital and natural worlds.
Explore Further
Wang & Söderström website: https://wangsoderstrom.com
Making Kin project: https://wangsoderstrom.com/making-kin
Ocean Plastics project: https://wangsoderstrom.com/ocean-plastics
Weidi Zhang is an LA and Phoenix-based new media artist, designer, and assistant professor of immersive experience design at Arizona State University. Her work explores the intersection of immersive media design, experimental data visualization, and interactive AI art. Zhang's current mission focuses on creating innovative digital experiences that connect humans with nature through technology. Core values include digital biophilia, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between technology, nature, and human experience.
Location
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, and Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Primary research/operations locations: Arizona State University's Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) center.
Note: Strategic locations to leverage expertise in new media art and immersive experience design.
The Digital Biophilia Vision
Core digital biophilia principles: Creating digital experiences that foster a connection with nature, using technology to enhance our understanding and appreciation of natural systems.
Key innovations: Development of interactive AI artworks and immersive installations that incorporate natural elements and biophilic design principles. Projects like "RAY" exemplify the integration of AI and immersive media to create dynamic, evolving artworks inspired by natural phenomena.
Prioritization of nature-inspired design: Emphasis on creating digital experiences that mimic natural patterns, rhythms, and aesthetics to promote well-being and environmental awareness.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: Interactive AI art installations, immersive media experiences, and experimental data visualizations that incorporate biophilic elements.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative new media art solutions that prioritize digital biophilia, user engagement, and environmental awareness. Zhang's artworks are known for their ability to bridge the gap between technology and nature, creating meaningful and immersive experiences.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing AI and immersive media technologies to create more authentic digital representations of nature. Exploring new ways to integrate natural elements into digital experiences to promote environmental regeneration.
Ambitious goals: To lead the new media art industry in creating experiences that foster digital biophilia, inspire a deeper connection with nature through technology, and promote environmental stewardship and regeneration.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Artworks and installations available through exhibitions, galleries, and direct commissions.
Biophilia Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on incorporating natural elements and biophilic design principles in digital art).
Key Recognitions: Best In Show Award at SIGGRAPH (2021, 2022), Red Dot Design Award (2022), Honorary Mention in Prix Ars Electronica (2022).
Innovation Rating: 5/5 (Cutting-edge use of AI and immersive technologies to create nature-inspired experiences).
User Engagement: High level of interactivity and immersion, designed to create meaningful connections between users, technology, and nature.
Key Takeaway
Weidi Zhang transforms the new media art industry through innovative, biophilic digital experiences, setting a benchmark for connecting humans with nature through technology and promoting environmental awareness.
Explore Further
Weidi Zhang website: https://www.zhangweidi.com
About and Process: https://www.zhangweidi.com/about
Example project: Astro
Marc Fornes / THEVERYMANY is an art and architecture studio based in New York City, founded by French architect Marc Fornes. The studio was established with the mission to explore computational design and digital fabrication techniques to create innovative structures and installations. Their current approach focuses on developing custom computational protocols to generate complex, non-linear forms that challenge traditional architectural paradigms. Core values include innovation, technological advancement, and pushing the boundaries of design and fabrication, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between form, structure, and material efficiency.
Location
Headquarters: New York City, USA.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various global locations for projects and collaborations.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: While not explicitly focused on circular economy, the studio's work incorporates principles of material efficiency and innovative structural solutions that could contribute to sustainability.
Key innovations: Development of custom computational protocols for form-finding, information modeling, and digital fabrication. Projects like the NonLin/Lin Pavilion showcase the potential for creating complex structures with minimal material waste.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Information not explicitly provided, but emphasis on digital fabrication suggests potential for optimized material use and production.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: NonLin/Lin Pavilion (perforated aluminum structure), Tour de Force(s) (120-ft tall aluminum installation on a cruise ship), Spineway (public artwork in San Antonio), and various other computational design-driven installations and structures worldwide.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing computational design techniques, exploring new applications for digital fabrication, and developing solutions that further optimize material use and structural efficiency.
Ambitious goals: To lead the architecture and design industry in innovative practices, create novel structural systems, and inspire a shift towards more efficient and technologically advanced design approaches.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services and installations available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with institutions and businesses.
Circularity Rating: 3/5 (While not explicitly focused on circular economy, many projects incorporate innovative material use and production techniques that could contribute to sustainability).
Cost Rating: Information not available.
Material Passport: Detailed material exploration and innovation in many projects, often focusing on aluminum and other lightweight materials.
Designed for Disassembly: Some projects, like the NonLin/Lin Pavilion, are designed with modularity and potential for disassembly in mind.
Carbon Performance: Information not explicitly provided, but focus on material efficiency and lightweight structures suggests potential for reduced environmental impact in some projects.
Key Takeaway
Marc Fornes / THEVERYMANY transforms the architecture and design industry through innovative, computationally-driven solutions that challenge conventional methods, setting a benchmark for exploring the intersection of technology, form, and material efficiency in contemporary design practice.
Explore Further
THEVERYMANY website: https://theverymany.com
Google The Orb project
Louis Vuitton Pavilion Nomad project